Student Writing

Imagine a world where writing is as easy as a gentle breeze, effortlessly carrying your words across the page. Like a warm embrace from a close friend, the best websites for student writing provide a haven where young minds can unleash their creativity and hone their skills.

Whether you’re a budding poet, a future novelist, or simply someone looking to improve your grammar and style, these virtual sanctuaries have got you covered. There’s been a lot of changes since we first created this list back in 2013 – you’ll want to read on to see how technology has progressed.

In this article, I will introduce you to a collection of online platforms that will transport you to a realm of literary wonder. From interactive story creation tools like Storybird and Story Jumper, to collaborative writing projects on Boomwriter and Storium.edu, there is something for every aspiring writer.

So join me on this literary adventure as we explore the best websites for student writing. Together, we will unlock the power of words and embark on a journey towards self-expression and discovery. Get ready to improve your student’s literacy skills,  unleash their inner wordsmith and embrace the beauty of the written word.

Key Takeaways:

  • There are numerous websites available for teaching and learning writing skills, catering to different grade levels and interests.
  • These websites offer a range of resources and tools, including writing prompts, interactive activities, free grammar checking to ward off errors, and collaborative writing projects.
  • Some websites integrate coding or multimedia elements into writing, while others focus on specific genres like poetry or comic strips.
  • Popular websites for student writing include Grammarly, Storybird, Writing A-Z, and Boomwriter, among others.

1. Grammarly For Education

Using Grammarly for Education is like having a personal writing assistant that not only checks for typos and grammar mistakes but also helps students improve their communication skills to become more confident writers. It is a popular website among students and educators, offering a wide range of features to enhance the writing process.

With its advanced AI technology, Grammarly can detect and correct more mistakes than regular word processors, making it an invaluable tool for students looking to improve their writing. One of the key benefits of Grammarly for Education is its ability to provide suggestions for improved word choices. This helps students expand their vocabulary and develop a more sophisticated writing style. Additionally, Grammarly offers a plagiarism checker, ensuring that students are submitting original work and avoiding any potential academic misconduct.

Using Grammarly for Education can also help students develop their editing and proofreading skills. By receiving real-time feedback on their writing, students can learn to identify and correct their own mistakes, ultimately becoming more independent and self-reliant writers.  

With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Grammarly for Education is an essential tool for kids of all ages and skill levels. It not only improves the quality of their writing but also helps them become more confident in expressing their ideas. By utilizing Grammarly for Education, students can take their writing to the next level.

2. iWrite

With iWrite, students can unleash their inner creative geniuses and transform into writing prodigies at the click of a button! This incredible website offers a wide range of resources and activities for students in grades 1-8, allowing them to explore different forms of writing and develop their skills in a fun and interactive way.

Here are three reasons why iWrite is a must-visit website for student writers:

– Creative Writing Activities: iWrite provides a plethora of creative writing activities, from story starters to journal prompts, that inspire students to think outside the box and let their imagination run wild. These activities help students develop their storytelling abilities and encourage them to experiment with different writing styles and genres.

– Illustration Tools: iWrite also offers illustration tools that allow students to bring their stories to life. With the ability to create their own illustrations or choose from a library of images, students can enhance their storytelling by adding visual elements to their work. This feature not only engages students but also helps them develop their visual literacy skills.

– Interactive Feedback: One of the unique features of iWrite is its interactive feedback system. Students can submit their writing assignments and receive personalized feedback from teachers or peers. This feedback helps students improve their writing skills and provides them with valuable insights into their strengths and areas for growth.

3. Magnetic Poetry

Immerse yourself in the world of magnetic poetry and let your creativity flow as you arrange words on the screen, creating captivating and heartfelt poems that will stir your soul.

Ideal for both introducing younger kids to poetry and engaging older students with the genre in a fun and creative way, this simple site is a digital form of the popular fridge poetry fridge phenomenon. Students are given a blank white screen and a group of ‘magnetic’ words to position how they choose, taking the pressure out of creating poetry and making it a fun and creative experience. New words can be added at any time if students get stuck, and the final result can be saved and shared with other students or parents.

Magnetic Poetry is a fantastic tool for students of all ages to explore the beauty of language and express their thoughts and emotions through poetry. Whether you want to write a love poem, a haiku, or a thought-provoking piece, this website provides an interactive and visually appealing platform to do so.

By playing with words and experimenting with different combinations, Magnetic Poetry encourages creativity and helps students develop a deeper understanding of language and its nuances. It also fosters a sense of belonging as you become part of a community of poets who share their creations and provide feedback to one another.

4. NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

The NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring writers to participate in novel writing challenges and receive support from a community of fellow writers and educators.

NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Novel Writing Month, takes place every November and encourages students to write a complete novel of at least 50,000 words in just one month. The program provides resources, inspiration, and a supportive online community to help young writers achieve their writing goals.

Participants in the free NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program can track their progress, set personal word count goals, and connect with other writers through the program’s website. They can also access resources and writing prompts to help them stay motivated and overcome writer’s block.

Students can join virtual write-ins and participate in forums to share their experiences and receive feedback from their peers and mentors. In addition, the program offers classroom resources for educators to incorporate novel writing challenges into their curriculum.

By participating in the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program, students not only have the opportunity to develop their writing skills, but also to become part of a supportive writing community. This sense of belonging can greatly enhance their confidence and motivation as writers.

So, if you’re looking to take your writing to the next level and join a community of passionate writers, the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program is definitely worth exploring.

5. PicLits

Explore PicLits, a captivating e-learning platform that combines stunning photography and creative keywords to ignite your writing skills and transport you to imaginative worlds.

With PicLits, you can enhance your writing abilities in a fun and interactive way. Here are three reasons why PicLits is a must-try website for student writers:

1. Engaging Visuals: PicLits provides a vast collection of captivating photographs that serve as inspiration for your writing. These visuals not only stimulate your creativity but also help you develop descriptive writing skills by prompting you to imagine and describe the scene.

2. Creative Keywords: Alongside the photographs, PicLits offers a selection of keywords that you can incorporate into your writing. These words act as writing prompts, guiding your thoughts and encouraging you to think outside the box. By using these keywords effectively, you can enhance the depth and richness of your writing.

3. Interactive Learning: PicLits is designed to be an interactive and collaborative platform. You can share your creations with others, receive feedback, and even participate in writing challenges. This fosters a sense of community and belonging, which can be motivating and inspiring for student writers.

6. Read, Write, Think

Get ready to dive into the world of Read, Write, Think, an online resource that will take your writing skills to new heights!

Read, Write, Think is a high-quality education website that offers a wide range of interactive tools and resources for K-12 students. Whether you’re looking for writing prompts, interactive activities, or lesson plans, Read, Write, Think has got you covered.

One of the great things about Read, Write, Think is that it provides standards-based lesson plans that have been written and reviewed by educators. This means that you can trust the quality of the content and know that it aligns with your curriculum. The website also offers an app, so you can access the resources on the go.

Read, Write, Think is not just limited to writing. It also helps students plan essays or dissertations, providing them with a step-by-step guide to ensure they produce high-quality work. The website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it a valuable tool for both teachers and students.

7. Hemmingway Editor

Let’s dive into the powerful world of Hemingway Editor and discover how it can revolutionize your writing with its insightful feedback and style enhancements.

Hemingway Editor is an online tool that helps you improve your writing by highlighting errors and suggesting improvements. Here are two key features that make Hemingway Editor a must-have for any student writer:

– Clear and concise writing: Hemingway Editor helps you identify and eliminate unnecessary words, complex sentences, and passive voice constructions. By simplifying your writing, you can communicate your ideas more effectively and engage your readers.

– Readability and style enhancements: This tool analyzes the readability of your writing and provides suggestions to make it more accessible to your audience. It highlights long and hard-to-read sentences, excessive adverbs, and complicated language. By improving the clarity and style of your writing, you can create a more enjoyable reading experience.

Using Hemingway Editor can greatly enhance your writing skills and make your work more professional. It is a valuable resource for students who want to improve their writing and create compelling pieces.

8. StoriumEDU

Immerse yourself in the world of Storium.edu, an innovative collaborative writing game that will ignite your creativity and turn storytelling into an exhilarating adventure. Storium.edu is a unique platform that uses digital story cards as prompts to inspire and guide your writing.

Whether you’re a student or a teacher, Storium.edu offers a fun and engaging way to develop your writing skills and create captivating stories. The game works by presenting you with a set of story cards, each containing a different element or prompt. You can choose a card that appeals to you and start developing your story based on that prompt.

As you progress, you can invite other players to join your story and collaborate with them to create a cohesive narrative. This collaborative aspect not only allows you to learn from others but also fosters a sense of belonging and community.

Storium.edu encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills as you navigate through different story arcs and challenges. The platform provides a safe and supportive environment for writers of all levels to explore their imagination and develop their storytelling abilities.

9. Boomwriter

Boomwriter, a dynamic web-based publishing platform, offers a range of collaborative writing projects that will inspire your creativity and propel your storytelling skills to new heights.

With Boomwriter, you can embark on three different types of writing projects: StoryWriter, WordWriter, and ProjectWriter.

Under StoryWriter, you have the opportunity to co-author your own book. This project allows you to collaborate with your classmates in creating a captivating story. Each participant takes turns writing a chapter, building upon the previous contributions. It’s a great way to experience the joy of storytelling while honing your writing skills.

The WordWriter project, on the other hand, focuses on the power of vocabulary. You are given a story starter, and your task is to continue the narrative by incorporating engaging and descriptive words. This project encourages you to expand your vocabulary and make your writing more vivid and compelling.

Lastly, the ProjectWriter project allows you to work on various types of writing, such as poetry, plays, and even non-fiction pieces. You can choose from a selection of prompts and create your own unique piece of writing. This project allows you to explore different genres and experiment with different writing styles.

Boomwriter provides an interactive and collaborative environment for students to develop their writing skills. It’s a platform that fosters creativity, teamwork, and a love for writing. So why not give it a try and see how Boomwriter can take your writing to the next level?

10. WriteReader

I am thrilled to have discovered WriteReader, a web-based literacy platform that has completely transformed many classrooms. Founded in 2012 by Janus Madsen, Babar Baig, and Ulrik Jensen, WriteReader offers an array of incredible features that have revolutionized the way teacher manage classrooms and facilitate remote learning.

One of the standout aspects of WriteReader is its quick classroom management capabilities. With just a few clicks, one can easily monitor students’ progress, provide feedback, and track their growth. This has saved me a tremendous amount of time and allowed me to focus more on individualized instruction.

In addition to its classroom management capabilities, WriteReader also excels in providing remote learning opportunities. Especially in today’s digital age, this feature has been an absolute game-changer. It has allowed me to seamlessly transition to online instruction and ensure that my students are still receiving a high-quality education, regardless of their physical location.

What truly sets WriteReader apart is its multimodal book creation platform. This feature empowers my students to become authors while simultaneously practicing various language skills. It has been incredible to witness their creativity and confidence soar as they craft their own stories. Furthermore, the platform aligns perfectly with the Science of Reading practices, making it an invaluable tool for evidence-based reading and writing instruction.

I am also grateful for the support that WriteReader provides. The platform offers templates that make it easy for me to create and share books with my students. Additionally, their customer service team is always available to assist me via phone and email, ensuring that I have the support I need to make the most of this incredible platform.

It’s worth mentioning that WriteReader has received numerous accolades and partnerships that further highlight its success and innovation. From partnering with Egmont, one of Scandinavia’s largest publishing houses, to being selected for Intel’s EdTech Accelerator Program, WriteReader has truly made a name for itself in the education industry.

Frequently Asked Questions about Online Writing Tools

How does Grammarly for Education differ from other writing aids?

Grammarly for Education differs from other writing aids by offering more comprehensive grammar and spelling checks. In fact, it corrects more mistakes than word processors. Additionally, it provides improved word choices, making it an invaluable tool for students looking to enhance their writing skills.

What are the specific features and benefits of the iWrite website?

The iWrite website offers a range of resources for teaching and exploring different forms of writing. It provides free online creative writing and illustration activities for grades 1-8, making it a valuable tool for students looking to improve their writing skills.

What is unique about the Magnetic Poetry website and how does it engage students with poetry?

The Magnetic Poetry website engages students with poetry by allowing them to position magnetic words on the screen, creating their own poems. The poems can be saved and shared, encouraging creativity and collaboration in a digital format.

How does the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program support young writers and educators in novel writing challenges?

The NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program supports young writers and educators in novel writing challenges by providing resources, guidance, and a supportive community. It encourages students to set goals, write daily, and complete a novel in a month.

What are your favourite online tools for student writing? Let us know below!

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